Universal joint



Jan. 13, 1953 G. E. DUNN 2,625,018

UNIVERSAL JOINT Filed Aug. 7, 1951 d l d venticn.

Patented Jan. 13, 1953 UNITED STATES FATENT OFFICE UNIVERSAL `OIN'I George E. Dunn, Dearborn, Mich., assigner 'to Universal Products Company, Inc., Dearborn, Mich., a corporation of Delaware Application August 7, 1951, Serial No. 240,617

14 Claims.

This invention relates to universal joints and has particular reference to a jointr construction suitable for use on automotive vehicles and the like. More particularly, the invention has reierence to certain new and useful improvements in cross type joints whereby the angular displacement is reduced to one-half of that of the usual cross type joint.

A principal object of the invention is to provide a new and improved universal joint con-- struction.

Another object of the invention is to provide 'reducing the Vangulardisplacementito one-half of that'encountered in the -usual cross type joint. Otherand further objects of the invention will `beapparentfrom the following descriptionand claims and mayV be-understood by reference to Vthe'accompanying drawing, of -which there is one sheet, which by way of illustration show- Vpreferred iembodiments of the invention and-whatiI` now consider to be the best mode -in `which I have contemplated applying thel principles of my in- 4Other embodiments of the invention may be usedwithout departing from the scope -of the present invention as setv forth in the appended claims.

- In the drawing:

lig l is a longitudinal sectionalviewofauniversal joint embodying` myinvent-ion;

VFigfZ is a view taken along the staggered line 2-'`2 -of Fig. 1, looking inthe direction of the arrows, andshowinghalf lof Vthe joint .in section through the driving pins;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing a modified vform ofthe driving pins ofxthe joint; and

Fig; 4 is a perspective view of one of: the driving-.pins of Figs. lv andv 2 showing amodied type of bearing which may be used therewith.

As illustrated ,in vthe embodiment of the invention selected for purposes of illustration, a universal joint embodying my linvention comprises rin general'driving and driven members, one of which comprises a socket member I and the other of which comprises a spherical ball head l2 swiveled in the spherical socket E4 provided by the socket member I0.

i2 is provided with a pair of intersecting, axially right angles to each other and to ther axis of rotation of the ballhead I2, it being,unders.t0od i The vmembers I6 and l2 are carried by shafts I6 and 18. The ball head 2 that the ball head I2 rotates about the axis -of the shaft I3 while the socket member I6 rotates about the axis of the shaft I6 regardless of` the relative angular positions of the shafts I6 'and I8.

The socket member l 0 is provided with a series of radially extending slots 24, 26, 28, and in the peripheral flange thereof, the slots 261and` 36 being in line and the slots 24 and 28 being in line, and the slots 24 and 28 being disposed -at right angles to the slots 26 and 30.

A drive or cross pin 32 extends through the slot 22 in the ball head and its ends project into the slots 23 and 3i) in the socket member, while a second pin 34 extends through the other slot 26 in the ball head and its ends project into the slots 24 and 28 in the socket member. The pins 32 'and 34 are arranged crosswise of each other, and each of the pins is notched at its middle, as indicated at 36, so as to 'accommodate the other of the pins, and the notched portions of the pins are seated against each other so that the pins lie in a common plane.

From Fig. 1 it will be observed that the socket member I6 is completed by a cap or cover 38, the peripheral edge of which fits Within a housing cover ring 46 which may be press fitted over the projecting annular flange 42 formed integrally with the socket member I6. The slots 24, 26,28 and 36 are Wholly formed Within the flange42, and the open side thereof is closed by the'flange 44 of the cover 38. A series of bolts 46 extending lthrough holes in the flange 44 is threaded into threaded holes in the flange 42 for securing the cover 38 in the assembled relation as shown with the member I6, the heads of the-bolts 46 overlapping the edges of the holes in thecover 38 through which the bolts extend.

A boot 56 formed of suitable exible material, such as rubber, plastic, or the like, is secured to the cover 38 by airing 52 and to the shaft I8 Aby a ring 54 which serves to retain lubricant within the joint land to exclude dirt therefrom. The housing cover ring v engages the kends ofthe cross pins 32 and 34 for centering the same in the joint and closes the ends of the slots 24, 26, 23 and 30, the ends of the pins 32 and 34 being provided with a spherical surface, the center of which is the center of the pin.

The width of the slots 24, 25, 2S and 30 in the socket member i0 transversely of the axis thereof is greater than the size or diameter of the projecting ends ofthe pinsv 32 and 34 so as to permit limited angular movement of the ends of such pins relative to the socket member, therebyto permit scissoringaction of said pinsduring rota- 3- ton of the joint when the driving and driven members are angularly disposed relative to each other.

The axial length of the slots 20 and 22 in the ball head I2 is greater than the size or diameter of the pins 32 and 34 which are positioned by the socket member intermediate the axial length of the slots 20 andv22 so that each pin is free to rock in its respective slot about the axis or center line of the other pin.

Each end of each of the cross pins 32 and 34 is journalled in a needle roller bearing assembly indicated generally at 56, the cages 58 of which are slidable in the slots 20 and 22 so as to provide needle roller bearings operatively disposed in torque transmitting relation between the cross pins 32 and 34 and the bifurcations of the ball head l2 formed by the slots 20 and 22 thereof. While the use of needle rollers is desirable in joints of the caliber required for use in automotive vehicles, it is possible that for some applications the needle roller bearings 58 may be dispensed with, in which event the width of the slots 20 and 22 would be of such size so as to have a close working t with the cross pins 32 and 34.

The sides 83 and 62 of each of the slots 24, 25, 28 and 30 form driving faces or surfaces which are engaged by the pins 32 and 34, depending upon the direction of the drive between the parts and I2, and accordingly, these faces or surfaces are disposed parallel to a line extending radially from the axis of rotation of the socket member I0 so that the full length of the projecting ends of the pins 32 and 34 will bear against the full length of the faces 60 or 62, as the case may be.

In addition compensating springs 64 are arranged in torque transmitting relation between the ends of the pins 32 and 34 and the socket member, the socket member for this purpose being provided with two spring seats 66 in the form of pins extending across bores 58 which intersect the slots 24, 26, 28 and 38 so that springs 84 may be confined between each side of the projecting end of a cross pin and the socket member. The springs are relatively heavy, and when assembled are compressed between the pins and the socket member. The springs may be sufciently heavy to transmit the driving torque between the ball head I2 and the socket member I0 under relatively light loads, although the springs will yield during the scissoring action of the pins.

It will be observed that the socket member I0 and the cross pins 32 and 34 are constructed and arranged relative to each other so that the pins 32 and 34 must rotate with the socket member and in a plane normal to the axis of rotationthereof. The center lines of the pins 32 and 34 intersect at the intersection of the axis of rotation of the members I0 and I2 and which intersection is also the center about which the ball head I2 swivels in the socket I4.

In operation, assuming the shafts I6 and I8 to be angularly disposed relative to each other, the pins 32 and 34 will alternately transmit the driving torque between the members I0 and I2, each pin being operative to drive through 90 of rotation at a time due to the scissoring action of the pins during the rotation of the joint. The springs 64 function to cushion the engagement of the pins 32 with the driving faces 60 and 62, depending upon the direction of drive. Since the pins alternately transmit the torque through 90 of rotation, the angular displacement will be only half of that occurring in the conventional cross type of joint.

In Fig. 3 there is disclosed a pair of driving pins |32 of a somewhat different type than the pins 32 of Figs. 1 and 2. In this modification, the needle roller bearings 56 are dispensed with and the pins |32 formed of square or rectangular ci'oss section except for the ends thereof which project into the slots 24, 26, 23 and 30 in the socket member I0. The central portion |34 of each pin |32 is of the same width as the diametral slots 20 and 22 in the ball head I2 and has a close sliding t in one of such slots. The pins |32 are notched at their centers as shown, the notches |35 being formed so that each pin |32 has an edge |38 coincident with its center line. The pins |32 are arranged crosswise of each other with the edges |38 in contact so that the pins lie in a common plane. The rectangular portions |34 of pins |32 provide a surface to surface contact between each pin and the sides of the slot inthe ball head in which it is arranged instead of the line contact provided by a round pin or needle bearing as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. This type of pin may be desirable in certain applications of the principles of this invention. The angularity of the surfaces |40 of the notches |38 which merge into edges |38 permits each pin to rock in its slot in the ball head about the axis of the other pin, as in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 discloses a modified type of bearing which may be used with the pins 32 of Figs. 1 and 2. In this modification the pins 232 are rotatable in bearing blocks 256 instead of the needle bearings 56 of Figs. 1 and 2. The bearing blocks 258 are square or rectangular in cross section as shown so as to provide surface to surface contact between each bearing block and the sides of the slot in the ball head in which it is arranged. Pins 232 are provided with notches 236 similar to notches 3S in Figs. 1 and 2 to permit rotation of each pin in its bearing blocks 256 about the axis of the other pin.

The construction of a universal joint in which the driving pins of Figs. 3 and 4 may be used is the same as that disclosed in Figs. 1 and 2, and the action of such pins and operation of the joint in which they are used is the same as that previously described in connection with Figs. 1 and 2.

While I have illustrated and described preferred embodiments of my invention, it is understood that these are capable of modication and I therefore do not wish to be limited to the precise details set forth but desire to avail myself of such changes and alterations as fall within the purview of the following claims.

I claim:

1. Universal joint construction comprising driving and driven members of which one comprises a socket member and the other a ball head swiveled in said socket member, said ball head having a pair of intersecting, axially extending, diametral cross slots therein. said socket member having a series of slots therein, a pin extending through one of said slots in said ball head and having its ends projecting into certain of said slots in said socket member, a second pin extending through the other of said slots in said ball head and having its ends projecting into other slots in said socket member, said pins being arranged crosswise of each other and in a common plane, the width of said slots in said socket member, transversely of the axis of rotation of said socket member, being greater than the size of members are disposed forrotation'on different axes; the axial length'of'saidslots in said'ball head'being greater than' the'size of'said'pins so as to permit rocking movement "of' each` pin nits respective 'slot in 'said ball' head about the center line of the yother pin, yspringsarranged in torque transmitting relation between'said pins and said socket member. said socket member'and `pinsbeing constructed and arranged 'relative 'to each other sol that said pins rotate with' said Ysocket member in a plane normal to the axis of rotationfrtherecf, the center'lines fof said pins Iintersecting at the intersection of the axes of rotation-of said driving and driven members.

2. vUniversal joint l construction comprising driving and driven members of which one com- ,prisesa socket member and the other a ball head swiveled in said socket member, said ballhead rhaving a pair'of intersecting, axiallyextending,

diametral slots therein disposed at rightvfan'gles to each other and to the axis of rotation of said ball-head, said socket member having a' series ofslots therein, a pin extendingthrough one of .-saidslots in said ball head and having its ends projecting into certain of said slots in said socket memben a .second pin extending throughthe -other of said slots in said ball-head and having `,its ends projecting into other slots in said socket member-',said pins beingl arranged crosswise of each other and each of said pins being notched 7 at its middle so as to accommodate the other of saidlpins andA said notched portions of said pins being seated against cach other so that said pins lie in a common plane, the width of said slots in said socket member, transversely of the axis of said socket member, being greater than the size of the projecting ends of said pins so as to permit limited angular movement of the ends of said pins relative to said socket member, the axial length of said slots in said ball head being greater than the size of said pins so as to permit rocking movement of each pin in its respective slot in said ball head about the other pin and scissoring action of said pins, and a spring interposed between each of the ends of each pin and each of the respective adjacent sides of said slots in said socket member.

3. Universal joint construction according to claim 2 including lubricant sealing and dirt excluding means operatively disposed between said socket member and ball head.

4. Universal joint construction comprising driving and driven members of which one comprises a socket member and the other a ball head swiveled in said socket member, said ball head having a pair of intersecting, axially extending, diametral cross slots therein, said socket member having a series of slots therein, a cross pin extending through one of said slots in said ball head and having its ends projecting into certain of said slots in said socket member, a second cross pin extending through the other of said slots in said ball head and having its ends projecting into other slots in said socket member, said pins being arranged crosswise of each other and in a common plane, the width of said slots in said socket member, transversely of the axis of said socket member, being greater than the size of the projecting ends of said pins v@anse:gers

A'so asfto'f-permit limited"angularLmovement f'the "ends 'of fs'aid'pins'-relative to saidrsocketf member, theaxial length of l'said slots 'in '-fsaidfballf head b'einggreater than' the" size vof said pins-'so las Tto permit rocking movement of -each'pin infits lrespective slot in said ball head about'the 'center line ofthe other'pin' and scissoring-actionlof said pins when 'said ldrivingand driven members `are disposed for rotation on different axes.

' 5."Univers`alY jointv construction -according v@to :clai'm14 including needle bearings operatively disposed between said pins-and said-ball'head.

6.' Universal joint construction comprising 'driving and drivenvmembers of which one'comprises "a socket memberandthe other' -a =ball head Vswiveled in said'fsocket member," said ball head having a pair of` intersecting, axially extending,'diametral slots therein disposed at 'right 'anglesto each otherand to the axis of' rotation of saidball'head, said socketmember having `a'series of slots vtherein, a` pin "extending through one'of said slots in'said ball head andhaving "itsends'proj'ecting into certain of said slots in said socket member, v'a second'pin 'extending throughthe other 'of said 'slots in saidb'all head and'ha'ving its ends projecting intoother' slots "insaidsocket member, said pins'being' arranged crosswise of eachother in a common plane, the width 'of said 'slots in said socket member, transversely` ijf the axisV of 'said socket memberybeing greater 'than' the size of 'the vprojectingen'ds'"of said pins so as to'permit' 1imited'an'g'ular'movement 'of the ends 'of' said pins relative tosai'd 'socket"'member,'the'axial length 'of 'said slots 'in said'ball 'head beinggr'eater than thesize Vof said pins 'so'as to'permit rocking movementof 'each'pin inv itsrespe'ctiveslot'in 'saidA ball'head about""the'axis` of the other pin; and 'springs' arranged 'in" 'torque' transmitting 'relation' between 'saidpins'and'said sccket'member.

7. Universal joint construction according to claim 6 wherein each slot in said socket member is provided with a pair of spring seats and wherein said springs comprise a coil spring on each seat arranged to bear against one end of a pin.

8. Universal joint construction comprising driving and driven members of which one comprises a socket member and the other a ball head swiveled in said socket member, said ball head having axially extending diametral cross slots therein, said socket member having radially extending slots in the periphery thereof, a pin extending through one of said slots in said ball head and having each of its ends projecting into one of said slots in said socket member, a second pin extending through the other of said slots in said ball head and having each of its ends projecting into one of said slots in said socket member, the width of said slots in said socket member, transversely of the axis of said socket member, being greater than the size of the projecting ends of said pins so as to permit limited angular movement of the ends of the pins relative to said socket member thereby to permit scissoring action of said pins during rotation of the joint when the driving and driven members thereof are disposed for rotation on different axes, springs arranged in torque transmitting relation between the projecting ends of said pins and said socket member, said pins being disposed in a common plane crosswise of each other, and each of said pins being free to rock in its respective slot in the ball head about the center line of the other pin.

9. Universal joint construction comprising driving and driven members of which one comprises a socket member and the other a ball head swivelled in said socket member, said ball head having axially extending diametral cross Slots therein, said socket member` having radially extending slots in the periphery thereof, a pin extending through one of said slots in said ball head and having each of its ends projecting into one of said slots in said socket member, a second pin extending through the other of said slots in said ball head and having each of its ends projecting into one of said slots in said socket member, the width of said slots in said socket member, transversely of the axis of said socket member, being greater than the size of the projecting ends of said pins so as to permit limited anguiar movement of the ends of said pins relative to said socket member, said pins being disposed in a common plane crosswise of each other and normal to the axis of rotation of said socket membenand each of said pins being free to rock in its respective slot in the ball head about the center line of the other pin.

10. Universal joint construction comprising driving and driven members, means providing a swivel connection between said members, said driving member having axially extending diametral cross slots therein, and said driven member having radially extending slots therein, a

- pin extending through one of said slots in said driving member and having each of its ends projecting into one of said slots in said driven mem ber, a second pin extending through the other l.of said slots in said driving member and having each of its ends projecting into one of said slots in said driven member, the width of said slots in said driven member, transversely vof Athe axis of. rotation of said driven member, being greater than the size of the projecting ends of said pins fso .as to permit. limited angular. movement of the ends of said pins relative to said driven member, said pins being disposed in a common plane crosswise of each other and normal to the axis ofv rotation of said driven member, and each of said pins being free to rock in its respective slot in said driving member about the center line of the other pin thereby to permit member.

12. Universal joint construction according to claim 10 including bearings arranged in said slots in said ball head and through which said pins extend, said bearings having a surface to surface contact with the sides of their respective slots.

13. Universal joint construction according'to claim 10 wherein the portions vof said pins which are disposed in said slots in said ball head are provided with at surfaces in engagement with the opposing sides of their respective slots..

14. Universal joint construction according to claim 10 wherein each of said pins is formed to provide a surface to surface contact with the opposing sides of a slot in said ball head, each of said pins being notched at its middle so as to accommodate the other of said pins, said notched portion of each pin having angularly disposed surfaces meeting in an edge coinciden with its center line.

GEORGE E. DUNN.`

No references cited. 

